Susan’s Syringa Strathspey – 32 bar Strathspey for three couples danced in a 4 couple set. A deceptively simple dance with hidden depths giving an opportunity to focus on form and timing detail

1-8: First couple lead down the middle. On bar 5 first man dances below his partner, turning her under his arm, and changing to nearer hands to dance up to first place, finishing in the middle between second couple, first man facing second woman, first woman facing second man. Second couple dance up on bars 5-6 [or on bars 7-8 and turn to face first couple as they dance to the top.

9-11: First man and second woman, giving right hand, and first woman and second man, giving left hand, dance a three-quarter turn [three bar turn. This is a large, sweeping turn; shoulders of second couple should align as they turn. First couple finish in second place facing third couple.

12-14: First man and third woman, giving left hand, and first woman and third man, giving right hand, dance a three-quarter turn three bar turn. This is a large, sweeping turn; shoulders of third couple should align as they turn to finish with first couple in second place on their opposite sides. (Third couple begin by the left foot on Bar 12)

15-16: Second, third and first couples set.

17-20: First man with second couple and first woman with third couple dance a right hand wheel.

21-24: First man with third couple and first woman with second couple dance a left hand wheel.

25-28: First couple dance a half figure of eight, woman down between third couple and man up between second couple, to finish on own side in second place.

29-32: Second, first and third couples turn with two hands.

Repeat from new places.

Devised BY Ann Campbell on September 28 2006 for Susan Elliotson

Suggested music:

The Dean Bridge of Edinburgh, Track 4 on The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Twelve Modern Scottish Country Dances in Traditional Form Book 23

9-10 1st L on M’s side, turns 3M left hand ½ way to end on sideline facing L’s side in Allemande position, WHILE 3L and 1M turn right hand ½ way to end on sideline facing M’s side in Allemande position

11-12 3L&1M, followed by 1L&3M dance counterclockwise (to their R) one place to face each other up & down the dance, 3L&1M facing down, 1L &3M facing up

1 – 8 1C and 2C dance set and link twice, 1L looping up and around ready for:

9 – 12 1C dance half figure of 8 around 2C,

13 -16 1C meet in 1st place and turn two hands

17 – 24 1C dance down for 2, turn two hands, dance up for 2 turn two hands

25 – 36 1C and 2C dance the Knot.

Inspired by Gordon McGregor who thought the dance, The Lover`s Knot, should include a knot formation. We didn’t recognize the bow knot formation which predated The Knot of Miss Milligan’s Strathspey. Dedicated to Gordon and his wife, Jeanne, who after dancing around the world, settled in Victoria Harbour and now dance with the South Simcoe Scottish Country Dancers in Alliston, Ontario.

1 – 8 1M and 2W pass R SH, cast to the left around partner, meet up & down the dance, pass L SH, 1M cast to the right behind 2M back to place while 2W casts to the right behind 1W back to place (basically dancing diagonal figure of 8)

The spiral progression, as follows:

9 – 12 1M and 2W woman turn with the right hand and, giving left hand to partner, all balance in line. On the second setting step, 1W and 2M pull back L SH to face clockwise, and join hands with partners.

13-16 1st and 2nd couples, in a diagonal line, dance round one place. 1W and 2M, releasing hands, progress to next position on the sidelines while 1M and 2W continue turning with the right hand to finish on own sides opposite partners, 2nd couple in first place and 1st couple in second place.

17 – 24 2M and 1W repeat bars 1 – 8.

25 – 32 1s & 2s dance full strathspey poussette.

Because this is a Celtic harp, it could be Welsh or Irish, as needed.

Devised 29 February 2012, inspired by the shortage of 2 couple dances appropriate for St. David’s Day.

1st man dances behind standing 2nd man, and around him, 1½ times, and crosses (passing 1st woman, left shoulder) to second place on his opposite side; while, 1st woman dances behind standing 2nd woman and around her, 1½ times, and crosses (passing 1st man left shoulder) to second place on her opposite side,

2nd couple steps up on bars 7-8.

Finish: 2nd couple in top place, on their own side, and 1st couple in second place, on their opposite side.

9-16 2nd and 1st couples dance a ladies’ chain.

Finish: 2nd couple facing down, ready for:

17-22 2nd couple dance bars 3-8.

1st couple step on bars 21-22.

23-24 2nd couple set.

25-28 1st and 2nd couples set and dance right hands across, halfway.

29-32 2nd and 1st couples turn partner with the right hand, once round.

Devised 30 Nov 2011 by Susan Elliotson because two of Ann Campbell’s new dances were danced in her absence on Association business), there was speculation that she might be miffed at having missed the experience. In that case was she to be called “Miffed Campbell”, or “Miff Campbell”?